ON THE RECORD
Obviously we are biased regarding the significance of the Moland House. But what have other people and organizations decided about the Moland House being “worthy?” Let’s see where the Camp on Neshamini Creek is ON THE RECORD.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD
Archaeological studies on the Moland House property have been performed by the Millbrook Society of Hatboro, PA. They are a non-profit organization, whose mission is historical preservation, education, presentation, and archaeology. The emphasis is on local history relating to Bucks and Montgomery Counties but their work stretches far beyond those boundaries. .
Their archaeological projects at the Moland House have included excavations, geophysical scanning, and the analysis of building features. You may find their reports under
Or you can link there directly using http://www.millbrooksociety.org/moland_house.htm
HISTORICAL RECORD
The three best known 19th Century chroniclers of Bucks County history are J. H. Battle, William J. Buck, and W. W. H. Davis. Each wrote a History of Bucks County, but only Davis’ work is accessible via the internet. Davis did not cover the Camp at Neshamini [sic] in his original 1876 edition. He added that material to his 1905 edition. The Table of Contents and illustrations for a merged version of his History can be found at
You can go directly to Chapter XXV – Warwick, 1733 at
or to Chapter XL – Bucks County in the Revolution, 1774 to 1783 at
Excerpts can be read elsewhere on this web site.
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William J. Buck’s History of Bucks County (1855) is available on CD-ROM. Copies of his “Washington’s Encampment at Neshaminy, Warwick Township, Bucks County, PA, in August 1777” (published at his expense in 1896) can be found in local research facilities such as the David Library of the American Revolution in Washington Crossing, PA (visit www.DLAR.org ). Helen Gemmill’s article on the encampment is excerpted elsewhere on this web site.
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
The United States Congress passed the Historic Sites Act in 1935, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to supervise a national policy of historic preservation by conducting a survey of sites possessing exceptional value to the history of the United States of America. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 broadened the program to the preservation of all cultural property throughout our nation.
The U.S. Department of the Interior established the National Register of Historic Places to keep a list of properties of local, regional, state, or national significance worthy of preservation. Properties — which may be districts, sites, structures, or objects — are nominated for listing through state historic preservation officers and by Federal agencies. State nominations are reviewed by a state board composed of historians, architects, archeologists, and other appropriate professionals. An approved application is signed by the state historic preservation officer [in Pennsylvania, this is the Executive Director of the PA Historical & Museum Commission] and forwarded to the National Park Service for their determination as to whether the property qualifies for listing in the National Register.
Standards for the National Register
The following standards should be used to judge whether a site qualifies for the National Register of Historic Places:
The significance in American history, architecture, archeology, and culture is present in properties having good location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association with (a) events that have made a contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) the lives of persons important in our past; or (c) distinctive characteristics of a type [style], period, or method of construction; are representative of the work of a master, or possess high artistic values; or (d) have yielded, or are likely to yield, information in prehistory or history.
Editors of American Heritage Publishing Company Inc.
American Heritage merit badge pamphlet
Irving, TX: Boy Scouts of America, 1976. 1995 printing.
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) has a web site forPennsylvania’s Historic Architecture & Archaeology (PA ARCH) which provides public access to Pennsylvania’s inventory of National Historic Landmarks and National Register of Historic Places. At this site, you will find the original, complete nomination form which includes a link to the registration form on file with the National Register of Historic Places. We suggest reading Section 7 – Description and Section 8 – Significance on the National Register form. Some of these forms contain floor plans and photographs.
You can search PA ARCH by county, township [Hint: “Bucks” & “Warwick”], or keyword in name [Hint: “Moland”]. Unfortunately, category of significance does not have a selection for event, person, nor history.
Or you can link directly to the Moland House registration form on the National Register of Historic Places.
For questions on historic preservation in southeastern PA and adjacent NJ counties, we suggest you visit the
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL MARKER
The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission administers an historical markers program to remember and celebrate the people, places, and events that have affected the lives of Pennsylvanians over the centuries since William Penn founded his Commonwealth. Marker nominations are evaluated annually by a panel of independent experts from across the state and reviewed by PHMC commissioners.
Key Guidelines for Approving a Proposed Marker
1. That the nomination be submitted in a clear and organized manner, including thorough documentation (from primary and secondary sources) and verification of the facts claimed.
2. That the person, event, or site to be commemorated has had a meaningful impact on its times and be of statewide or national rather than only local significance.
3. That only historical subjects (rather than current events) are considered.
. . .
5. That people and their activities receive more favorable treatment than buildings or sites.
6. That historically recognized personages shall no longer be living, and that the place of their accomplishments in history shall have become established.
. . .
You can search for markers by using
www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pennsylvania_historical_marker_program/
in your Internet browser. Click on “Search for Historical Markers” in the left-hand menu. Then enter either keywords in their title [hint: “moland”] or text [hint: “pulaski” or “neshaminy”], county [hint: “bucks”], or selected category [hint: “george washington,” “American Revolution,” or “military”].
IN THE PRESS
Search for our recent past in the Intelligencer Record and Bucks County Courier Times archives for articles on the Moland House
Hint: Use keywords “moland house” with the exact match option.
Widen your search using the Philadelphia Inquirer archives. However they charge for the full article.
Hint: Use keywords “moland house” with show best matches first option.